Amy Zerbonia
Amy Zerbonia is a highly experienced Clinical Laboratory Scientist with over 30 years in the field, currently working 12-hour night shifts at HSHS Medical Group. She is responsible for maintaining laboratory analyzers, managing reagent supplies, calibrating tests, running quality control, and verifying results before release to clinicians, always prioritizing accuracy and patient safety. Amy approaches each specimen with the care she would give a family member, reflecting her strong commitment to ethics and patient advocacy.
Over her career, Amy has gained extensive experience across high-volume laboratory systems, including COVID testing labs, and has intentionally moved between roles to broaden her expertise with different analyzers and technologies. Her professional philosophy emphasizes staying current with evolving procedures, reagents, and methodologies to ensure reliable results for patient care.
Amy holds an Associate of Applied Science in Clinical Laboratory Science from Illinois Central College and a Bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science with a minor in Chemistry from the University of Illinois Springfield. She remains open to new opportunities as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technologist, or Medical Laboratory Scientist, bringing decades of expertise, dedication, and precision to every laboratory environment she joins.
• University of Illinois Springfield
• Illinois Central College- A.A.S.
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to my high ethical standards, persistence, continuous learning, strong technical skills, and the willingness to acknowledge mistakes and grow from them.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I’ve received is to pick your battles, always do your best work, and stand your ground when it matters.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering this field is that it’s a rewarding career—don’t be afraid to pivot when needed, know your self-worth, and maintain balance so the job doesn’t consume you.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
The biggest challenges in my field are low pay compared to other healthcare professions, limited licensure requirements in some states, staffing shortages, and difficulty finding travel positions post-COVID. Opportunities include advancing laboratory technologies that improve accuracy and efficiency, as well as a growing demand for qualified professionals that opens doors for recruitment and career growth.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are patient advocacy, maintaining high ethical standards and integrity, and doing my best work while balancing professional responsibilities with family and personal life. Personally, I prioritize integrity and perseverance in everything I do.